Villa Romana Hotel & Spa

We really enjoyed our stay here. We were in a comfort room and had a balcony overlooking the pool area. The room was very comfortable and clean - the bed was one of the best we have had on holiday. The cleaning staff were excellent and came in at least once a day to service the room. If I'm being picky, I'd have liked more storage space as there was only two drawers in the cupboard along with hanging space. There was some other space on the wardrobe floor but I'd have liked shelves ideally so I could lay things out. Loved the tiled floors though and the rooms were cool with the air con on. The breakfast was varied and good quality and staff in the restaurant were brilliant, always remembering our coffee order each morning and that we wanted to sit with friends. Although you did need to book the pool, this worked very well for us as two couples travelling together as we tended to go in the afternoon after being out exploring in the morning. This to me was preferable to coming back in the afternoon and finding nowhere to sit. The drinks by the pool were really good - very well made cocktails (not always the case in hotels). There is plenty of space to sit downstairs in the cool ground floor if you want to and a small bar. The reception staff were mainly helpful and friendly although perhaps there wasn't as much local information as we'd like - suggestions for restaurants, days out etc. However, it was a peaceful spot and I'd have no hesitation recommending it.

Pros: overall lovely hotel - excellent location, super close to plenty of restaurants and bars, 5 minute walk down to the beach and the ferry port. Plenty of variety at breakfast and if you have an early start (before 7.30am) they will make you a to go bag with plenty of food and drinks. Room was spacious and comfortable and gives a real authentic Italian feel. Decent shower pressure. Good strong WiFi, clean pool area. Drinks at bar not too pricey considering its a 4 star hotel. Staff friendly and amenable. Discount for spa attached to the hotel and good value for money! Had an amazing 2 hour experience in the Optium Spa for €110 for the both of us, definitely worth booking. Cons: bring earplugs if you want a good nights sleep especially if in a front facing room as the roads are very noisy so you will hear cars, horns beeping, dogs barking. Hotel does not have a quiet policy and seems a few guests don't think to keep their voices down past 11pm and the walls are paper thin!! Was so glad I had my earplugs or I would have been cussing. Breakfast although varied wasn't the best quality, you will need a LOT of salt on your potatoes if you have them. Very dry. The pool area you will need to reserve a slot if you want to use it - either 10am-2pm or 2pm-6pm. While I agree this is a good system to stop the sunbed hoggers, its not the best when its busy and the host has picked your sunbed for you ... if you want one in the sun its pot luck whether you'll get one, you might be sat in the complete shade which if you want to catch a tan you're better off heading down to the beach. They do not like you moving the sunbeds around either and they are strict on how they've 'organised' the beds per how many guest have booked a slot so once you've been assigned a bed you cannot move even if the other guests may not turn up to use their slot. Overall a great stay and Minori is the perfect base to explore the Amalfi Coast if you want a quiet and authentic Italian experience away from the majority of tourists.